tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55595907474509547072015-09-17T00:40:38.989-05:00Third Degree CreativeThird Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-16790315764511874272012-10-23T10:53:00.000-05:002012-12-18T08:50:37.003-06:00Case in Point: MCT Loans<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>245</o:Words> <o:Characters>1398</o:Characters> <o:Company>3rd Degree Advertising</o:Company> <o:Lines>11</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>2</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>1716</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PrVw1gFwMCk/UIa7MgrRNoI/AAAAAAAAAHM/R0cgIiC3uz8/s1600/loantastic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PrVw1gFwMCk/UIa7MgrRNoI/AAAAAAAAAHM/R0cgIiC3uz8/s1600/loantastic1.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="background: white; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;"><br /></span></div><br />Looking for our MCT Credit Union "Loantastic" Campaign case study? <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.newfangled.com/a-promotion-with-loantastic-results">Find it on our new site!</a><br /><br /><!--EndFragment--><br />Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-27539287149288841892012-09-10T13:04:00.001-05:002012-09-10T13:04:15.726-05:00Case in Point: Buck the Norm<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal.dotm</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>408</o:Words> <o:Characters>2328</o:Characters> <o:Company>3rd Degree Advertising</o:Company> <o:Lines>19</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>4</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>2858</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>12.0</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument></xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles></xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]><style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br /><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/7972563584_5d4f2f128a_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="77" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8315/7972563584_5d4f2f128a_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Bucking the Norm</b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Tinker Federal Credit Union’s Buck the Norm Gen Y initiative is all about financial empowerment. Don’t overspend or be irresponsible with debt. That’s the concept they want 16-24 year olds to grasp. But to grasp this type of behavior change there needs to be hands-on and engaging initiatives. What’s more hands-on and engaging than social media hosted contests?</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Every year Buck the Norm hosts several contests, but the video scholarship contest is the one that attracts the most attention. What’s at stake: a $2,000 scholarship and a MacBook for the first place contestant and cash and iPods for the three other placed contestants. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7972540120_5f66e6fa49_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8303/7972540120_5f66e6fa49_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Challenge<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The first challenge was with unfair voting. In past years the contest had been hosted on Buck the Norm’s website. Voters were allowed to cast a ballot once per day which was tracked by email addresses. There was no way to stop people from creating fake email addresses and submitting multiple votes per day. It’s the digital media equivalent to hanging chads.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The second challenge was a stagnant Facebook page that was seeing little growth. Leading up to the 2012 contest timeframe Buck the Norm’s Facebook page had 600 fans which hadn’t seen a big increase in some time. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prescription<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">To get the voting to a more legitimate level, it was decided to host the contest on Facebook utilizing a Facebook application. Facebook only allows one profile per user. It was a perfect match because we could also focus on growing the fan base. Instead of voting once per day,<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5559590747450954707" name="_GoBack"></a> Facebook users could only vote once for the entire contest. This grew the need for contestants to promote their videos which ultimately drove more traffic to the application. </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Promotion<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The major tactical execution was the Facebook application itself. Contestants were able to upload their video through the application which was hosted on the Buck the Norm Facebook page. People could then view the contestants' videos, comment on videos and vote.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">The contest was promoted through several traditional and non-traditional channels including geotargeted online ads, social media and print ads in local college publications.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/7972540410_4d064c8e3e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8032/7972540410_4d064c8e3e_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Results<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing">Entries: The 2012 contest yielded the highest number of entries with an increase of 71% over 2011.</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />Voting: With previous years littered with voting fraud, an expected 200 people voted over 21,000 times. By moving the contest to Facebook and allowing one vote for the entire contest there were more than 2,100 individual votes which was a 950% increase in individual votes (and in the exposure to Buck the Norm’s message).</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing"><br />Page Fans: From the 2011 contest to the beginning of the 2012 contest there were 30 new fans to the Facebook page. During the 40 day contest period there was an overall fan increase of 75% as the number of fans went from 630 to more than 1,100 fans.</div><!--EndFragment-->Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-60562724749716922962012-08-09T13:15:00.000-05:002012-09-10T11:09:02.554-05:00Q&A with Casey<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7971810294_9753cf0277_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8305/7971810294_9753cf0277_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Q:&nbsp; Perhaps we start with a history lesson? Talk about your background, professionally.<br /></b>A:&nbsp; Okay, this will be a hundred-mile-an-hour, highlights-only tour.<br /><br />In 1995, I cut my teeth at a small Oklahoma City agency called Fellers Marketing and Advertising. The focus of the company was client service, which I took to naturally and it helped me ascend to Associate Creative Director.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">After almost seven years at Fellers, I moved to Barkley in Kansas City. Their impeccable reputation for award-winning work is what drew me to them and I spent four years leading a fantastic team.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">From Barkley, I went to work at Hallmark (also headquartered in Kansas City). Despite being the biggest “creative” brand in the world, I had entered a realm where research and planning was every bit as important. The work from there is some of the best in my career.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b>Q:&nbsp; Why Third Degree?<br /></b>A:&nbsp; I’ve kept an eye on Third Degree since I left Oklahoma. It’s a company that works as smart as it is creative. So, the opportunity to be a leader here was a no brainer... it's the kind of job you just don't pass up.<br /><br /><b>Q:&nbsp; Now something not work related. You run, even when you’re not being chased. What’s that about?<br /></b>A:&nbsp; My running shoes are one of the first things packed when I travel for work.&nbsp; I’ve found a healthy body makes a healthy mind. Since I ran cross-country in college, jogging is sort of the low-hanging fruit of working out. It's a "dance with the devil you know” kind of thing.<br /><br />This year my goal is to do a half marathon in one hour and thirty minutes…right after I stop eating so much chocolate cake.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEJ1Hcq3Xmc/UCPv4J75DiI/AAAAAAAAAGs/RGm0Yq8O4Bw/s1600/IMG_1038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gEJ1Hcq3Xmc/UCPv4J75DiI/AAAAAAAAAGs/RGm0Yq8O4Bw/s400/IMG_1038.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><b>Q:&nbsp; So goals are important to you?<br /></b>A:&nbsp; Yes, it’s a holdover from my competitive athletic days and something I’ve found to be very important in my creative success. Just like a brand, it’s important to have a clear vision of where you want to go and what you want to achieve.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws3aUrVFLzk/UCPv6VBBhKI/AAAAAAAAAG0/KSZIW5YANnU/s1600/302095_2515866697760_1285983814_32843521_1706482915_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws3aUrVFLzk/UCPv6VBBhKI/AAAAAAAAAG0/KSZIW5YANnU/s400/302095_2515866697760_1285983814_32843521_1706482915_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Q:&nbsp; Which is more important: Creativity or Strategy?<br /></b>A:&nbsp; I use a lot of sports analogies and here’s one now:&nbsp; &nbsp;In football you can’t win without solid play on both sides of the ball. Weakness on defense hurts the offense and vice versa. Essentially, it is a recipe for failure. Creativity and strategy have the same symbiotic relationship.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">No concept, no matter how inspired, can overcome a weak foundation. And no strategy can truly come to life if the message isn’t well delivered and received. So to say one is more important to the other, in my opinion, couldn't be more short sighted.<br /><br /><b>Q:&nbsp; Quick. Name your favorite movie, album and book.<br /></b>A.&nbsp; Cool Hand Luke. The Smiths – Meat is Murder. Watership Down.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><br />Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-33417350674582751392012-06-07T12:44:00.001-05:002012-06-13T15:50:51.563-05:00The Digital RevolutionMore and more Americans are going digital, and they couldn't be happier about it. In the past 10 years the number of people that have access to the internet has doubled. Not only are we engaging with the digital world at home and throughout our days at the office, but we are doing it on the go, with the amount of people buying smart phones continuing to rise. We are a nation addicted to information, with a voracious appetite that doesn't seem to be diminishing.<br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7348885030_4d25198691_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7348885030_4d25198691_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <i>Nielsen's Q3-Q4 2011 US Digital Consumer Report</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br />But what are we as marketers doing to take advantage of this trend and harness this insatiable thirst for knowledge? Well... maybe not JUST knowledge — we also are watching the latest father/daughter wedding dance on Facebook. It is a time to re-examine your marketing resources. Have you positioned your brand to take advantage of this trend? or are you spending dollars in places that the public seems to be leaving?Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-26763882659624539752012-02-13T13:55:00.022-06:002012-02-14T09:43:47.037-06:00Third Degree Nostalgia<div>Awe. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij0_17E33_g&amp;list=UUKPsQD3m6uFwgAHdgHxMtmg&amp;index=1&amp;feature=plcp">Moving.</a> It conjures thoughts of new beginnings. Excitement over things to come. Dreams of our new space, all shiny and new. And lets face it, how close each of our desks will be to a window.</div><p class="MsoNormal">We are ready for the next leg of our journey but for us, as we pack, we are feeling a bit nostalgic.</p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T01KVGnFYy8/Tzluqh5bv2I/AAAAAAAAAGk/v8-NuiX93VA/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T01KVGnFYy8/Tzluqh5bv2I/AAAAAAAAAGk/v8-NuiX93VA/s320/IMG_0295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708715679601639266" /></a><div>Original logo on a mason jar mug.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVydLDd9RSk/TzluFUScAxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/BkD6Mzw5mvU/s1600/IMG_0292.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QVydLDd9RSk/TzluFUScAxI/AAAAAAAAAGM/BkD6Mzw5mvU/s320/IMG_0292.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708715040293258002" style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 320px; " /></a><div>Current logo on a coaster.</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcW6EbUYTs/TzluTM5GoSI/AAAAAAAAAGY/MyX000ZpU8k/s1600/IMG_0294.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ePcW6EbUYTs/TzluTM5GoSI/AAAAAAAAAGY/MyX000ZpU8k/s320/IMG_0294.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708715278826119458" /></a><div>Don't you just love old photos?<br /><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33ZJmY92wc4/TzltwBMw-RI/AAAAAAAAAGA/VtlUY7KPSu8/s1600/IMG_0289.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-33ZJmY92wc4/TzltwBMw-RI/AAAAAAAAAGA/VtlUY7KPSu8/s320/IMG_0289.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708714674391939346" /></a><div>A coaster. And a reminder.</div><div><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCoxxdlClbQ/TzltedN3W-I/AAAAAAAAAF0/39d34nYyKtQ/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aCoxxdlClbQ/TzltedN3W-I/AAAAAAAAAF0/39d34nYyKtQ/s320/IMG_0288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708714372675099618" /></a><div>Oh, the creative that could be found on these old hard drives. And the incriminating emails.</div><div><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGddV8n2CN4/TzltSgzX-BI/AAAAAAAAAFo/lIHfbvoemMU/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dGddV8n2CN4/TzltSgzX-BI/AAAAAAAAAFo/lIHfbvoemMU/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5708714167479302162" /></a><div>Do they even make HOT DAMN anymore?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p></p> <!--EndFragment--></div></div></div></div></div></div>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-88091784231276792522012-02-03T10:37:00.006-06:002012-02-03T13:34:39.593-06:00Media Buyer by Day. Office Designer by Default.Everyone knows those people who work hard to develop a knowledge base and craft in college only to move on to start a career in an industry unrelated to their degree. That’s me. With a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Oklahoma, (and countless all-nighters in the College of Architecture studios) I’m now working on 8 years at Third Degree. As a Media Buyer, my Excel spreadsheets are not only strategic and thoughtful, but let’s be honest…color coordinated.<br /><br />Did I mention it also qualifies me to judge coloring contests?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812486259/" title="Coloring Contest by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 329px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7017/6812486259_62f42eb845.jpg" alt="Coloring Contest" /></a><br /><br />I interviewed for a temporary position as the Receptionist to pay the bills after college. Having spent a couple weeks in a hot warehouse, checking the caps on tubes of “Femoré” (I’ll leave that product description in the hands of Google), I was ready for a job in a climate controlled office. Little did I know most of the summer, shorts were considered “office chic” in the old Mercantile building.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812485783/" title="Shorts and Legs by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6812485783_43769250b7.jpg" alt="Shorts and Legs" /></a><br /><br />After falling in love with these guys…<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812485921/" title="Group Photo by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 345px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7004/6812485921_4b6128b8f6.jpg" alt="Group Photo" /></a><br /><br />and these characters…<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812485711/" title="Halloween by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6812485711_5f49b33926.jpg" alt="Halloween" /></a><br /><br />And learning that Media at Third Degree was not just about numbers and spreadsheets (no matter how colorful) and was more about finding targeted, creative and impactful ways to get our clients’ messages out…I stuck around…for awhile.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812485841/" title="Get Square by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7028/6812485841_8f8677c2af.jpg" alt="Get Square" /></a><br /><br />I was later asked to co-design our Diner/Breakroom/Conference Room with coworker Kathleen Shannon. We rented a cargo van, shared scandalous stories with each other (her more so than me) and crossed the Red River to IKEA.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812486167/" title="Diner Picture by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6812486167_6956e8770a.jpg" alt="Diner Picture" /></a><br /><br />Now, with the help of Creatives, Adam and Brett, I’m calling that the Trial Run before the new task at hand.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/6812486057/" title="Floorplan Picture by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img style="width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6812486057_627938059a.jpg" alt="Floorplan Picture" /></a><br /><br />A whole new office space: demolition, construction, codes, timelines…may I suggest a little wine? And one excited Media Buyer.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-9174035059180750452012-01-23T17:43:00.012-06:002012-01-24T08:26:10.857-06:00We're Moving.<object width="400" height="233"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ij0_17E33_g?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&showinfo=0"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ij0_17E33_g?version=3&amp;hl=en_US&showinfo=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="400" height="233" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br /><p class="MsoNormal">That’s right. You heard correctly. After 14 years, <a href="http://www.thirddegreeadv.com/">Third Degree Advertising</a> will be uprooting from our home in Bricktown and relocating our headquarters to new offices in Midtown Oklahoma City (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&amp;rls=en&amp;q=oklahoma+city+4th+and+walker&amp;oe=UTF-8&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;ei=OfEdT_V4z4e3B8qY1fAM&amp;sa=X&amp;oi=mode_link&amp;ct=mode&amp;cd=3&amp;ved=0CAwQ_AUoAg">corner of Fourth and Walker</a>).</p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ij0_17E33_g&amp;list=UUKPsQD3m6uFwgAHdgHxMtmg&amp;index=1&amp;feature=plcp"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 178px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OfgInIJwOQw/Tx6osXQE72I/AAAAAAAAAEU/pdL4ZnPOJ7M/s320/Screen%2Bshot%2B2012-01-23%2Bat%2B9.04.20%2BPM.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701179658406784866" border="0" /></a><br /><div><p class="MsoNormal">More information to come.</p></div>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-35674879880984594602011-11-30T10:02:00.006-06:002012-12-18T08:57:52.586-06:00ABNB Federal Credit Union's "Holiday Regrets" Promotional Campaign<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6431327443_ca01087470_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7160/6431327443_ca01087470_o.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a></div>Visit our new site to see the <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.newfangled.com/innovative-media-placement">ABNB Holiday Regrets mall campaign</a> case study!Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-43557755801087923382011-11-14T17:07:00.016-06:002012-12-18T08:46:03.175-06:00Buck the Norm: We come from SPAAAACE!<a aiotitle="" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6325827947_3ae0ac213c.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6325827947_3ae0ac213c.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 266px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />Looking for our Buck the Norm parade case study? <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.newfangled.com/youth-marketing-gen-y-bucks-the-norm">Find it on our new site!</a>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-49865517123164899152011-11-01T11:44:00.014-05:002011-11-14T16:41:12.731-06:009 Ways Facebook's New Look Affects Your BrandYou know the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Third-Degree-Advertising/31477609481">Third Degree Facebook page</a> is always active. (We can't resist a good <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150348150409482.352495.31477609481&amp;type=1">photo op</a>.) So when Facebook changes its interface, we take notice. We’re particularly interested in how these changes impact businesses. Here are some important highlights and takeaways for you to remember:<br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6303990538_373cf43292_o.png" border="0" /><br /><b>Anyone can comment on Pages.</b><br />Any Facebook member can now comment on a brand’s page, regardless of whether or not they “Like” the page. Although there are concerns associated with this transition (like dealing with crises and spam, and reaching new customers) this will now open conversations to more users, which can in turn bring potential customers. The good news is that you can’t measure success by ‘likes’ alone, but instead by the engagement of your community. Less stress on ‘like’ forces brands to create great content that keeps people coming.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6118/6302748149_c6e4b6ab7a_o.jpg" border="0" /><br /><b>The News feed is more selective, streamlined.</b><br />The streamlined News Feed includes a ticker timeline for less crucial updates (like a friend commenting on another friend’s photo). Important events get better real estate on the bigger, traditional news feed. This is good news for business pages, since you’ll cut through a noisy feed by posting high-quality content (determined by EdgeRank). <br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6303464923_9c988e172d_o.jpg" border="0" /><br /><b>The EdgeRank System decides what you see.</b><br />Facebook’s EdgeRank formula breaks down visibility into various categories: Affinity, Weight, and Time. Affinity increases each time you interact with a page, meaning that content will get more presence in your feed. Weight prioritizes the visibility of different content categories, like photos, videos, links and status updates, with comments getting the most priority. Time-relevant information stays closer to the top of a newsfeed. (<a href="http://goo.gl/dF4Bz">via</a>)<br /><br /><b>Friend activity is now public.</b><br />The Friend Activity tab shows you which of your friends visited a brand’s page, the “Likes” and comments on posts, and any mention of the page by friends. A more personalized page means more user interest in visiting and interacting with the business or brand. Users can now recommend your brands to their friends directly from your page. (Just remember to give them a reason to do so.)<br /><br /><b>Status update character limit increased over 1000%.</b><br />A status update was once limited to 420 characters. That limit is now 5,000. For users, that means a more blog-like experience with their profiles. For brands, it means you can get a little more in-depth when you share news or events with your community. <br /><br /><b>Admins have more metrics.</b><br />This one's for the real analytics geeks. Where once you could only see metrics and engagement per-post for your self-published items, now you now track broader measurements by exporting Insight reports into Excel. (<a href="http://goo.gl/y37em">via</a>)<br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6303990704_a2ea79f824_o.jpg" border="0" /><br /><b>Insights tool is more granular.</b><br />Analytics options now include a page-fan’s friendcount (“Friends of Fans”) and weekly Total Reach. Facebook encourages word-of-mouth sharing among fans and their friends, as well as to allow businesses to measure the extent of that sharing. Now you can count the stories people share that show up in News Feeds. Likes, mentions, RSVPs, check-ins, wall posts, answered questions and other related metrics are all measured. (<a href="http://goo.gl/Yf6m8">via</a> and <a href="http://goo.gl/sYpLu">via</a>)<br /><br /><b>New plugins share browsing activity on Facebook.</b><br />If you're finicky about your privacy settings, this new feature might be a bit squicky. A Facebook plugin on your website publishes a Facebook user's browsing activity and sentiment on their profile and wall. From there, it filters out into their friends news feed and ticker. (<a href="http://goo.gl/uBrFa">via</a>)<br /><br /><b>Facebook dabbles in social listening.</b><br />Following in the footsteps of Spotify, last.fm, and Pandora, Facebook now has a music dashboard letting you see what your friends are listening. Look deeper and you'll see their top albums and singles. Whether this will drive more people to Facebook and, in turn, could boost traffic to pages remains to be seen. (<a href="http://goo.gl/Kr9gx">via</a>)<br /><br />So that's the straight dope on Facebook's newest changes. Though still filtering out to most users, Facebook's history shows they won't be the last changes to Facebook's UI. Whatever comes, just keep your focus on quality, shareable content. Oh, and have fun!Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-25950185273870938612011-10-04T13:33:00.004-05:002011-10-04T15:26:39.491-05:00Funds For Learning Moves Up a GradeFunds For Learning (FFL) helps schools and libraries wade through government paperwork and become compliant to be eligible to receive technology funding. Tricky stuff. It's one of those "hey-I-didn't-even-know-people-did-that" jobs that once you hear about, you're glad is around.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6212067808_906c70b899.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6216/6212067808_906c70b899.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />We've worked with FFL for a few years now, helping develop their early branding. We even won the prestigious Jef Fontana Humor award for their on-hold message a few years ago.<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vOnAZwlRaLE?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="25" width="400"></iframe><br />Oh my, how the years fly by. Now Funds For Learning is the nation's largest provider of these services. They've moved up to a swanky new office and their team of experts is way bigger. Their past brand fit a smaller organization carving out a new niche. Now, they're ready to brag about their expertise, their experience and their drive to help.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6212061298_02fb08b23e.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6212061298_02fb08b23e.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />So we got to thinking: Who is Funds For Learning to its clients? They cut through complicated paperwork. They show a clear path to funding. They keep clients from making costly mistakes. They're like sherpas, the rugged mountaineers that escort adventurers to the peak of Mount Everest. They're like a sensei, a master of mysterious techniques. And they're like a guru, with deep knowledge of their craft. What do these all have in common? They're guides. So, that's how we positioned Funds For Learning.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6211538231_ca99a8bf45_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 517px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6218/6211538231_ca99a8bf45_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Above is the first brand positioning board recently created. The strategy is to: Keep a streamlined appearance to stand out from the competition's cluttered ads. Incorporate the internal culture into the messaging: Collaborative, fun-loving, resourceful, with a strong belief in communication. Use a new color system revolves around reds, oranges and saturated cyans, with white as the accent. Funds For Learning didn't need a drastic change to their brand, just a natural next iteration. A graduation, if you will.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6211539437_36dff9e9b9_b.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 517px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6091/6211539437_36dff9e9b9_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Humorous Venn diagrams show that Funds For Learning really understands the tough position most districts are in these days, without getting too dour about it. The graph background, handwriting, and hand-drawn circles all reflect elements of a school whiteboard and a workplace brainstorming session. Using strong visual metaphors from simple visual shapes make Funds For Learning's brand very approachable.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6212052226_3f9d46c03a_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 517px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6214/6212052226_3f9d46c03a_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Funds For Learning liked these initial ideas so much they decided to do a full-on photoshoot to show off their sweet new space and their team of gurus, sherpas, anda senseis (a.k.a. guides).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6212073890_1cf8243543_z.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6152/6212073890_1cf8243543_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6211542969_b4e38cc813_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6054/6211542969_b4e38cc813_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6212064554_df60b87dab_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6102/6212064554_df60b87dab_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6211546399_a963f06432_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6167/6211546399_a963f06432_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />After a long shooting day, we let off some steam with an epic paper fight. Hey, what's a graduation without a little fun?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6212241108_8d94968585_z.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/6212241108_8d94968585_z.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-56228470672358452142011-09-06T13:02:00.007-05:002011-09-06T13:14:36.292-05:00Hey look, it's the future! Third Degree Webcam HuddlesWith the <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.com/creative">creative department</a> growing across <a href="http://www.thirddegreeadv.com/durham-branch">two cities</a>, we're figuring out how to do our usual daily huddles across the distance.<br /><br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6120690953_72f15a747d.jpg" height="175" width="400"><br /><br />We're using iChat as a temporary solution, but that only handles four people. We're also looking at Skype Premium, which is currently the leading candidate. Google Hangouts has a very nice pricepoint (Free!) and expands to lots of users, but we noticed a lot of lag. Our newcomer <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-faces-at-third-degree-oklahoma-city.html">Kaylee</a> suggested Talkbox, which we'll definitely investigate further.<br /><br />Any recommendations for on-the-spot facetime?Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-64913757480689313292011-08-30T15:39:00.006-05:002011-08-30T16:05:06.225-05:00New faces at the Third Degree Oklahoma City office!We're super-busy these days, so it's nice when we can get some extra help in and out of the creative department. Next time you come around to the <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.com/people">Third Degree Oklahoma City</a> office, say hello to the new kids!
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6097943432_6d618df7ac_o.jpg">
<br />We met Jennifer at a recent AIGA portfolio review. Among a wide array of talented students and young professionals, Jennifer stood out for her strong type foundations, precise handcraft and clever concepting. That's a lot of jargon that only means something to design nerds. <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.com/results">Which we so are.</a>
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6097943346_b83dacb66d_o.jpg">
<br />Kyle comes to us from OU's journalism department. He actually first looked for an internship in the creative department, but his strength in research made him an obvious choice for the <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.com/node/132">account service</a> side. Above, he describes the stack of work we gave him on his first day.
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/6097397769_c5841e8355_o.jpg">
<br />Ah, and here's Kaylee. She interned for us over two years ago, but graduated and went off to the land of web startups. Now she's back from a three-month visit to Japan, full of stories about giant robots and questionable seafood. She's jumping into the <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.com/node/131">creative department</a> as a production artist.
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<br />Welcome to Third Degree! You're gonna be great.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-76699196107443292982011-08-26T09:40:00.006-05:002011-08-26T10:09:52.665-05:00Group Photo Shoot OuttakesBecause we're oversharers, we couldn't help showing off our outtakes from the impromptu group photoshoot this week. Here's the scene...
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<br />[INT: Third Degree Office. Early morning. No one's had coffee yet.]
<br />Daniel: Hey, let's do the group shot before it gets too hot.
<br />Liz: Yeah, this is your last chance before I fly back to Durham.
<br />Brett: But who are we going to sucker into being our photographer?
<br />All: Jared!
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6077/6082926210_5ec1ed31d3.jpg" width="400" height="266">
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<br />[EXT: Backdoor of Third Degree offices.]
<br />Jared: Okay, just like the Bricktown engagement photoshoots.
<br />Liz: You go here. You go here. You go here.
<br />Adam: I'm having second thoughts, guys.
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6072/6082384819_3a9fb7d293.jpg" width="400" height="266">
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<br />Daniel: Let's move out to the sidewalk a little.
<br />Brett: Yes! Like an album cover. Everyone space out and look serious.
<br />Jared: Okay, everyone. One, twooooo, three!
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6082396411_9a6c0e3720.jpg" width="400" height="266">
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<br />Liz: Did I blink?
<br />Jared: No, but let's take another one to be safe.
<br />Daniel: Places, everyone!
<br />Jared: Okay, everyone. One, twooooo, three!
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<br /><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6070/6070601478_890bbcde3d.jpg" width="400" height="266">
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<br />Jared: Got it!Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-55729612890286567932011-08-22T14:04:00.012-05:002011-08-22T16:08:25.300-05:00They grow up so fast.While everyone else goes back to school, we do things a little different here at <a href="http://www.thirddegreeadv.com">Third Degree</a>. Get your cap and gown, it's time for graduation!
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6070653016_45fceea794.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6185/6070653016_45fceea794.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Clockwise from top left: Brett Grimes, Adam Lenaire, Daniel Solis and Liz Fabry.)</span>
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<br />Brett Grimes (on the team 5 years) always brings his <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/07/strategic-creatives-makin-moves.html">top game</a> to design and art direction. That's why he's being promoted to Senior Art Director. Epic win!
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<br />Liz Fabry (4 years) pioneers our creative team in <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/07/tara-two-days-durham.html">Raleigh-Durham</a>. For the past year, she's grown as a writer, concepter, and grown our RDU team's profile. So, she's being promoted to Senior Art Director, too!
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<br />Congrats Liz and Brett! Two cities, two senior art directors. We're keeping it hot with double the creative firepower.
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<br />Oh! More good news! <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2009/09/trolling-your-social-media-campaign.html">Daniel Solis</a> (7 years) is now associate creative director. He'll keep the engines burning with social branding and innovative strategy. You'll hear more from the whole creative team here on the blog.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-67461436078226155332011-07-21T14:13:00.008-05:002011-07-22T10:06:10.329-05:00A Major SaluteRemember <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/07/meet-megan.html">Megan</a>? You should- she's pretty unforgettable.<br /><br />Today we're saluting her continued bravery, general serve-it-up-titude and totally cute shoes with some kind words and silly pictures.<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5961460799_02f2d344e1_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/5961460799_02f2d344e1_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />First, a bit of an explanation from CEO Roy:<br /><br />"Well this week marked a first for me. For the first time in my fifteen year career as the CEO of Third Degree, I had to navigate the new reality of bidding a teammate good-bye – at least for one year. And I’ve learned more than I ever thought possible.<br /><br />As leaders, we more often are required to be the teacher than the student. But not in this case. Megan, who I often endearingly refer to as “Major,” is indeed just that. Megan Miranda, account planner for Third Degree, is also a Major in the US Army Reserves. And last week our country called her to service for the third time in a decade.<br /><br />Major Megan Miranda, as of today, will assume command of a PSYOPS company that will be deployed in Afghanistan in support of the US Marines. And while I hate to see her go, I know that our country needs her and that the Army picked a great commander.<br /><br />I watched Megan embrace her responsibility. What struck me the most is that before assuming command of her company in the US Army, she made sure that her fellow troopers at Third Degree were well informed and that all duties were transitioned with as little disruption and stress as possible. (As if she didn’t have enough else to worry about.) She was committed through the final few minutes of her last day at Third Degree. Giving it all for the team until she walked out of her office.<br /><br />Megan accepts her role, responsibility, and duty as a military officer. And while I know inside she would rather stay in her office in the renewed surroundings of the American Tobacco Campus in Durham, and her home with a vegetable garden, and a group of people at Third Degree who’ve become her family, she doesn’t have that choice. She has a high calling and duty to do her part in defense of our nation.<br /><br />I will admit that while the War on Terror has raged on since 9/11, I never truly felt personally affected – until now.<br /><br />So while Megan does her duty over there, it is up to me, Third Degree and all who read this post to continue to do our duty here. And that is to continue our individual contributions to advance commerce, be thankful for the freedoms we enjoy, work as hard as she will for the next year, and never lose sight of the sacrifice that so few make for the benefit and betterment of so many.<br /><br />Thank you, Major Megan Miranda. I would have picked you too."<div><br /></div><div>– Roy<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5962016206_aa59a76b9f_b.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 532px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/5962016206_aa59a76b9f_b.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />And now, to soften the blow- here are some light-hearted anecdotes from Megan's 1-year <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/02/what-says-longevity-like-balloons.html">anniversary book</a>:<br /><br />"I love that Megan can talk marketing savvy and SHOES, all at the same time."<br />- Holly, Media Director<br /><br />"Megan serves it up daily with her can-do attitude and team spirit. She’s the force you want working with you through anything - one that does it right and does it on time. She’s a force to be reckoned with and keeps the bar high for all of Third Degree and its clients."<br />- Natalie, Account Executive<br /><br /><a href="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5962016084_cfb62b7e8b_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 489px;" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/5962016084_cfb62b7e8b_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"Megan is on it. She catches on quick, and lives the Third Degree brand daily. And she now has a smart phone so she can check emails. Oh wait, that’s not good… What was she thinking there?"<br />- Jared, Account Coordinator<br /><br />"With nerves of steel when presenting, Megan leads with a velvet voice and grace under pressure. The only time Megan seems the opposite of calm are when shoes or coffee are involved. Then, her eyes beam and footsteps quicken as her coveted treasures are within reach! A tip for newbies: do not to interfere with her acquiring said shoes or coffee or I’m sure she’ll utilize some of her psych ops training and she’ll torture you with mind control. At least, that’s<br />what I hear from Roy (which explains a lot)."<br />- Amanda, VP Strategic Communications<br /><br /><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4843868846_7bbdb9b32d_o.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4843868846_7bbdb9b32d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Our hats (and shoes) are off to you, Megan. See you in a year.</div>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-69062013415401780302011-07-05T13:43:00.005-05:002011-07-05T14:11:04.826-05:00The Calm Moments. And Coffee.Every internal culture has them. Little pieces of, well... peace. Most of the stories coming out of Third Degree's walls are in full-blown technicolor. We tend to crank the dial all the way up to hot when it comes to expressing ourselves. But today I stumbled on some images that capture, dare I say, our more tranquil side?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5906052820/" title="CoffeeCupEggs by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/5906052820_d1e80ab2ce.jpg" alt="CoffeeCupEggs" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Coffee Cup Eggs</span><br /><br />Don't they just look like ideas about to hatch? This pic is from about a decade ago I'd say. Many of our ideas have hatched and grown to crowing roosters by now. Mostly the ones for clients. Some of our own ideas, like <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/08/frying-us-some-eggs.html">frying an egg on the sidewalk</a> last summer? Didn't have as fabulous an outcome. And if it's the coffee aspect of this scene that makes you want to sigh, or just head out the door to a Starbucks, check out this video about the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTVE5iPMKLg&amp;feature=player_embedded">virtues of coffee</a> I stumbled on the other day.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5906055314/" title="RoyHotelLounge by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/5906055314_1039d874b2.jpg" alt="RoyHotelLounge" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Roy On The Road</span><br /><br />This is Roy in one of his <span style="font-style: italic;">Up In The Air</span> reflective-while-traveling moments. Except his backpack is anything but empty (you've got to see the Clooney flick to get my meaning here). The point is that Roy shines when he's got a glass of... well, let's say a beverage that's on the other end of the indulgence spectrum from coffee and rhymes with "fine"... a quiet corner, and a head full of blazing ideas.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5905499615/" title="Notebooks by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5905499615_67b4d46001.jpg" alt="Notebooks" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Notes</span><br /><br />Oh, and if a laptop isn't handy to capture one of his epiphanies... one of these little fellas will do just wine. I mean fine... fine. This photo has been on my laptop background forever, but I don't think I've ever shared it until now. It's neat. When I myself use one to sketch out my ideas, I try to use more descriptive words than "neat."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5905498899/" title="OldElevator by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/5905498899_9a758b1a04.jpg" alt="OldElevator" height="500" width="381" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">This Old Elevator</span><br /><br />This is a Shining-like photo of our building's elevator entrance before it was remodeled. I kind of miss the exposed circuit boxes and the seventies-trying-to-be-turn-of-the-century sign in powder blue. This "little elevator that could" may be a bit modernized today, but it still kind of creeps people out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5905496151/" title="BrettHallway by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6038/5905496151_9bfa334eee.jpg" alt="BrettHallway" height="267" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Hall Pass</span><br /><br />Probably because Brett is creeping down the back hallway up on the second floor. All he needs is a twin, and then it really is <span style="font-style: italic;">The Shining</span>. This is our coffee escape hall, bathroom escape hall, escaping to the bathroom because you've had too much coffee hall. But this particular stance Brett is displaying, really has no explanation.<br /><br />Just a calm moment at Third Degree. Eerie calm. But calm all the same for now.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-30666797390008496012011-05-17T08:54:00.004-05:002011-05-17T14:10:41.228-05:00"Tricking Out" Traditional Print AdvertisingSo we've really been rallying around this idea of creating non-traditional executions for our client Pioneer as of late, even if the medium is, well, just plain old print.<br /><br />Facebook and flash mobs may be the latest frontier of advertising, but for some markets – particularly rural ones – a postcard in a county road mailbox or a full-page ad in a town's main newspaper are still some of the most steadfast ways of getting a substantial number of people the message.<br /><br />Not to say that you can't get creative with how you engage within a market be it urban, suburban or off the beaten path. We've definitely forged into non-traditional media with Pioneer, too. Their <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/04/getting-hook-up.html">Hook Me Up grassroots phone booth</a> and microsite for teens is a prime example.<br /><br />But it doesn't matter how reliable the delivery channel or how attractive the offer if nobody reads it. And so often boring newspaper ads and ho-hum direct mail end up flipped past, tossed aside and quickly forgotten.<br /><br />People should at least ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5727683191/" title="TVBoxMailer by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5167/5727683191_9e912f551f.jpg" alt="TVBoxMailer" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5728233212/" title="ScratchSniffClearDetails by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5067/5728233212_e29a3db81b.jpg" alt="ScratchSniffClearDetails" height="200" width="400" /></a><br /><br />smell it first ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5728233194/" title="CardboardMailers by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5728233194_16344ac226.jpg" alt="CardboardMailers" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />touch it first ...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5728233208/" title="GiantPriceTagMailer by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5728233208_09df958402.jpg" alt="GiantPriceTagMailer" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />or just frankly be unable to avoid it. (That's a really big postcard.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5728233206/" title="GiantPriceTagAd by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3416/5728233206_00de4f4d3f.jpg" alt="GiantPriceTagAd" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />But beyond direct mail with a twist, we've had an especially big success creating print ads that really push the medium by contrasting or working within the classic newspaper backdrop.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5727683195/" title="WholePictureAd by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2673/5727683195_a6b5f7c565.jpg" alt="WholePictureAd" height="395" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5728233190/" title="BurningUpAd by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5169/5728233190_8d25956e7f.jpg" alt="BurningUpAd" height="395" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Engaging viewer interaction by inviting action in order to get "the whole picture" – having fun with the classic game, of you're getting warm, warmer, warmer...<br /><br />Once we got started, we just started growing into it and now it's hard for us to stop.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5727683183/" title="SpringAdSpread by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5216/5727683183_fc6f7e7c64.jpg" alt="SpringAdSpread" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5727683187/" title="SpringAppsPaperCatepillar by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2643/5727683187_42b4cd13cd.jpg" alt="SpringAppsPaperCatepillar" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Good for Pioneer because more eyes are spending more time with their message, good for the papers because they can demonstrate a forward-thinking approach, and just good for all of us to remember to entertain and engage our viewers – be it in their mailbox or over their morning coffee – even when they don't expect it.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-47912036827560774912011-04-05T11:07:00.004-05:002011-04-07T10:18:29.603-05:00Buck The Norm Video ContestWell, today is the <a href="http://www.buckthenorm.com/contests">last day of voting</a> for TFCU's <a href="http://www.buckthenorm.com/">Buck The Norm</a> video contest. The prize is a $2,000 scholarship and a MacBook for the entrant whose video gets the most votes. It's amazing every year to see what people come up with in these homemade videos. They can range from the cute, to the bizarre, but are always fun to watch.<br /><br />This year the video theme was a $10 Day Challenge, asking them to make a video about how they would spend a day with only $10 in their pocket. The rest is up to them...<br /><br /><object height="244" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DQtbohHiZjQ&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DQtbohHiZjQ&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="244" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />and their socks...<br /><br /><object height="244" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7qf7WG6G-4k&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7qf7WG6G-4k&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="244" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />their pbj-making skills...<br /><br /><object height="244" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/CRHHYLhWu9I&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/CRHHYLhWu9I&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="244" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />and the friends they can get to hang out as extras in chick suits.<br /><br /><object height="244" width="400"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/MyPrX3qd3fY&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/MyPrX3qd3fY&amp;rel=0&amp;hl=en_US&amp;feature=player_embedded&amp;version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="244" width="400"></embed></object><br /><br />While it's hard to let go of creative control, we at least like to steer entrants in the right direction. As part of the contest promotion on the Buck The Norm site, we show a How To Video to tell them about the video theme, rules, and tips for making a buckin' great video.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5597582063/" title="BuckTheNormContest by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5265/5597582063_e0791a66e3.jpg" alt="BuckTheNormContest" height="221" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5598162836/" title="VideoProps by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5101/5598162836_2aa0ceb037.jpg" alt="VideoProps" height="270" width="400" /></a><br /><br />We also require they use some of our downloadable "props."<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5597582005/" title="VotingToolkit by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5310/5597582005_f2a774eb32.jpg" alt="VotingToolkit" height="451" width="400" /></a><br /><br />But making the video is only half the journey to the prize. We want our entrants to get lots and lots of votes, because <span style="font-style: italic;">TFCU </span>doesn't choose the winners, <span style="font-style: italic;">we</span> don't choose the winners... their friends, family and, well, strangers do. So we also give them digital tools for getting the word out and getting people to click on <span style="font-style: italic;">their</span> video!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5598162748/" title="VotingPage by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5264/5598162748_d683b539a4.jpg" alt="VotingPage" height="430" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Did I mention today's the<a href="http://www.buckthenorm.com/contests"> last day to vote?</a> Hey, I'm just spreading the word, man.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-17013360059205945102011-03-21T20:39:00.010-05:002011-03-22T06:34:47.162-05:00Still Sparkling From CUNA Conference<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5548473461/" title="RoyInTheSkyWithDiamonds by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5548473461_666025849f.jpg" alt="RoyInTheSkyWithDiamonds" height="325" width="400" /></a><br /><br />We are back from the <a href="http://www.cunamarketingcouncil.org/">2011 CUNA Marketing and Business Development Conference</a>, where credit unions across the nation converge (this year in Las Vegas) to get innovative, get inspired, and get some sparkly sparkly Diamond Awards.<br /><br />Photo collage courtesy of the only phone pics Amy sent me. Amy, aka our <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/CU_Cheerleader">CU Cheerleader</a> was too busy spreading the credit union spirit and pep to take me some decent pics! Left is Roy at the podium as he rallies the general session about the power of internal culture. Right is our sparkly sparkly Diamond Awards (more on those momentarily.)<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GuGQSeA-5Ms" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />Even though some of us could only be there in spirit, a handful got our cheesy mugs played for the general session crowd on what I imagine was a huge screen, to illustrate how we practice-what-we-preach at Third Degree by <a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/">embracing the tools of internal communication</a>, and empowering our credit union clients to do the same. Roy is passionate about this subject. The grainy collage pic doesn't do his enthusiasm justice (that's okay Amy, we know you were probably constructing a pyramid of credit union marketers in a cheer at the time). So just imagine lots of pounding on the podium as he presented this to the crowd, along with Evita-like hand gestures.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Av2Vq6VbUoo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="244" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />Pre-conference, Third Degree created this "Powerful People" ant-themed video for the CUNA Council to help generate buzz and boost conference registration in the months leading up to Las Vegas. It was one of the highest attended marketing and biz development conferences for CUNA in the past eighteen years!<br /><br />But now for the (drum roll please) Diamond Awards!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5548443171/" title="Hoops by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5548443171_54bd050edb.jpg" alt="Hoops" height="393" width="400" /></a><br /><br />The "10 Reasons To Switch in 2010" campaign we created for Delta Community Credit Union out of Atlanta, was a big winner for the night. In addition to some merits, it won a Diamond for Print Ad.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/f1ZziNXhnP8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dbPWOxk5W_8" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />The "10 Reasons" TV Campaign also snagged a Diamond for TV Series! If you recall <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/01/paint-by-numbers.html">we had quite a time creating</a> these larger-than-life number props.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uRBP84_vmZo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />The whimsy of Northwest Georgia Credit Union's new look and feel was not lost on the judges either. Along with merits, the commercial that first launched <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/04/credit-union-takes-branding-u-turn.html">the credit unions branding makeover</a> was awarded a Diamond for :30 TV Spot.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/4389907068/" title="TaDaSaveATron by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2694/4389907068_be605395d5.jpg" alt="TaDaSaveATron" height="500" width="379" /></a><br /><br />In fact, whimsy was a winner all around, as Tinker Federal Credit Union got a Diamond for The SaveAbles <a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/resources/casestudy/tfcusavables">Youth Marketing campaign</a>, including the irresistible SaveATron himself.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5146176396/" title="BTNSharkFloat by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1101/5146176396_30d5b94ca9.jpg" alt="BTNSharkFloat" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5145593465/" title="5111476845_99856b52fb_b by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5145593465_5e67e3ac1c.jpg" alt="5111476845_99856b52fb_b" height="266" width="400" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:78%;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo by </span><a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/11/buck-norm-were-going-to-need-bigger.html"><span class="Apple-style-span">Zach Nash</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><br /></span><div><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5146193066/" title="5111478235_928938b415_b by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1390/5146193066_b5b1dda996.jpg" alt="5111478235_928938b415_b" height="601" width="400" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><i><span class="Apple-style-span">Photo by </span><a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/11/buck-norm-were-going-to-need-bigger.html"><span class="Apple-style-span">Zach Nash</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span">.</span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></span></i></span><br />Shark victims and financially empowering thumb lifeguards were not anything to sneeze at either, as the Buck The Norm, Ghouls Gone Wild Parade Entry also brought home a bloody hard-earned Diamond for TFCU.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/4464833686/" title="TFCU GBTU-0429 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4464833686_9058c522ea.jpg" alt="TFCU GBTU-0429" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/z5gRgBdfo7U" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />But we've got to give a hand to plain <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2010/03/tfcu-get-back-to-you.html">old fashioned emotional connection</a>, people, as TFCU's "Get Back To You" Complete Campaign stole some hearts and at least one Diamond, too.<br /></div>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-20471127509759308362011-03-01T11:02:00.011-06:002012-12-18T08:41:09.811-06:00"Gabby Knows" Online Moms<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5488845409/" title="GabbyWebsite by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img alt="GabbyWebsite" height="300" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5175/5488845409_f7145127c1.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Looking for our Fort Worth Community Credit Union Gabby case study? <a href="http://thirddegreeadv.newfangled.com/gabby-knows-engaging-women-with-social-media">Find it on our new site here</a>!Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-48111316805075051452011-02-15T11:11:00.003-06:002011-02-15T11:12:16.346-06:00Getting AnimatedI like a film shoot as much as the next gal. Hello? Craft service. Yum. And speaking of craft. I love crafting an emotional connection with the viewer by capturing "real life" meets "what-we-wish-life-really-were" moments that you get from shooting a true moving picture.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5448487490/" title="TFCUPhotos by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/5448487490_3371025eb4.jpg" alt="TFCUPhotos" height="264" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Film shoots are especially fun (fun meaning unpredictable) if there are dogs or babies involved. <a href="http://www.thirddegreeadv.com/node/156">TFCU always includes</a> at least one if not both. But they are so worth it in the end. Kleenex please.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span></span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5448487290/" title="BelvoirAmarilloAllegiance by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5257/5448487290_b78073af7e.jpg" alt="BelvoirAmarilloAllegiance" height="150" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">But we've also created several animated videos for other credit unions like, </span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/resources/casestudy/belvoirrepositioned">Belvoir FCU</a>, <a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/themes/creditunionsavvy/campaign/indexAmarillo.php">Amarillo FCU</a> and <a href="http://www.thirddegreeadv.com/_archive/feat_acu.html">Allegiance FCU</a></span><br /><br />So why does this creative director think the animated approach is also a great alternative for credit unions?<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1. You can stretch a television production budget (get more bang for your buck.. and yes, us creatives care about your budget)<br /><br />2. Create an affordable (yes, we know that word, too) video for an internal launch or for branch multimedia and website play (even if you don't do TV placement)<br /><br />3. Retain a high quality feel (your spot is playing right next to a national one and the viewer doesn't feel like yours is the "homegrown" commercial)<br /><br />4. The visuals translate great online, where video is quickly becoming a must-have (smaller screens = me like pretty pictures)<br /><br />5. Promote products with "pop" to get a short-term results boost as a balance to your overall long-term branding (rather than trying to clutter your awareness messaging with salesy offers)</span><br /><br />And even though you might think animation equals childish. Think again. And ignore the sock monkey below for just a second because it sort of negates my point. But animation have to mean cartoon. Set into motion photos, type, colors, illustrations and combine them with that just-the-right voice and that I'll-know-it's-right-when-I-hear-it music, and you begin to emote a lively, or a stirring, or even quirky (now enter sock monkey) moving message.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5447881125/" title="NGCUObjects by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5447881125_f91e6222df.jpg" alt="NGCUObjects" height="150" width="400" /></a><br /><br />So as just static images, you ask "what the heck does a sock monkey have to do with getting a credit card?"<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pe3-k1JA3gA" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="244" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />But set it into motion, and this "un-strings" attached credit card spot drives home the point. This is the third of <a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/resources/campaigns/northwestgeorgiacreditunion">a series of videos</a> we've created for Northwest Georgia Credit Union, from their initial brand launch to a summer auto loan promotion.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5447881015/" title="ABNBObjects by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5180/5447881015_0186fee9ba.jpg" alt="ABNBObjects" height="150" width="400" /></a><br /><br />These objects alone might look like a study in yellow...<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VsMToWo5snU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />But they actually represent the three pillars "open," "honest" and "hardworking" of ABNB Federal Credit Union's <a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/resources/campaigns/abnbfederalcreditunion">new brand.</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5448487278/" title="LaCapObjects by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/5448487278_6e81c73d38.jpg" alt="LaCapObjects" height="150" width="400" /></a><br /><br />And who says an animated spot can't be warm, sincere – or rooted in something substantial?<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/waEXaQbuPkg" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" width="400"></iframe><br /><br />Voice and music are the most compelling ways to bring a story to life, like we did for LaCapitol Federal Credit Union when they <a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/resources/campaigns/lacapfederalcreditunion">redefined their brand</a> across the state of Louisiana.<br /><br />And video doesn't just have to mean television. The ABNB and La Cap videos are also a great example of videos that were created for internal launches to employees and staff, that were later were more easily translated into shorter tv spots when they were ready to roll out their messaging to the greater community.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-60617980103249865702011-02-03T15:35:00.000-06:002011-02-03T16:00:18.101-06:00The "Snow" Must Go On!Just because almost half the country is covered in a big ol' blanket of snow and ice, doesn't mean we don't all have to eventually dig ourselves out of our driveways and make our way back to the nine-to-five.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414371866/" title="DSC08351 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5295/5414371866_f7ae120ea2.jpg" alt="DSC08351" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />For Third Degree-ers navigating snow drifted streets and icy intersections is pretty much a universally tricky but all-in-all doable feat. And our careful trek from the parking lot to the safety and warmth of our office is probably just like yours (translation: perhaps one out of five of us fall on our posteriors before making it to our front door).<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414370556/" title="DSC08348 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5213/5414370556_7a4f214cfb.jpg" alt="DSC08348" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414371238/" title="DSC08350 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5414371238_f939f1a9f2.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="DSC08350" /></a><br /><br />Our attempts at making snowballs, perhaps a little on the pathetic side. And our outerwear apparel, er, well, let's just say orange knit U-Haul hats are probably a bit on the unique side.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414374434/" title="DSC08371 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5414374434_afa1eb0123.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="DSC08371" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5413771837/" title="DSC08395 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5413771837_3db49e7c2f.jpg" alt="DSC08395" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />But once we get inside staying as "hot" as our brand, is a little bit more of a challenge. That, my friends, is our state-of-the-art heating and air system. It has an on and off switch. But the "on" setting is debatable. When your agency is housed in a turn-of-the-century warehouse (which is cool to be sure) certain additional provisions must be made.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414373086/" title="DSC08361 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/5414373086_08d6a351b3.jpg" alt="DSC08361" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Fingerless gloves... a must for typing, designing, copywriting and not losing your digits to frostbite.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5413763183/" title="DSC08366 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/5413763183_b92090fe33.jpg" alt="DSC08366" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Hot drinks... in Daniel's case fancy tea in a fancy, fancy tea cup.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414384454/" title="DSC08401 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/5414384454_5503574c71.jpg" alt="DSC08401" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />In Holly's case... a cup of joe in styrofoam. Note the scarf and puffy vest are an all-day indoor fashion statement. At least they match.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414379694/" title="DSC08383 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5215/5414379694_cc92370db7.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="DSC08383" /></a><br /><br />Having a space heater that close to your face just cannot be a good thing.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414376414/" title="DSC08378 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5414376414_ff28c76116.jpg" alt="DSC08378" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />But, portable heaters are a staple under every desk. Some of us keep our rugged footwear on all day.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5413764925/" title="DSC08375 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/5413764925_fca0f8e8ef.jpg" alt="DSC08375" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Some bring a change of shoes. Not forsaking fashion for function.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5414377346/" title="DSC08380 by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5414377346_cd16d7ac99.jpg" alt="DSC08380" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />And some will just forsake all professionalism at this point for warm tootsies. (Even while they are drinking fancy, fancy tea out of a fancy tea cup... not to give away the anonymity of this socked creative).<br /><br />Hey, it's just all in the spirit of serving it up hot. Or at least not frozen for today.Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-16049950365690142032011-01-20T17:10:00.000-06:002011-01-21T14:52:42.280-06:00Got A Mall. Got You Covered.It's not because our media planners are mall rats. Although I'm sure they'd admit to eating an Auntie Anne's soft pretzel or slurping an Orange Julius with a Gap shopping sack (with its classic logo in tact) hanging from the crook of one arm. But malls are a great place to get where people are – with some unexpected messaging. And we don't just mean those rotating poster kiosks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5375728903/" title="UnityMall by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/5375728903_3b7c32fc98.jpg" alt="UnityMall" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><br />Our most recent mall attack is an ER campaign for a regional hospital, <a href="http://unityhealthcenter.com/cms/index.php">Unity Health Center</a>. While we'd done our fair share of outdoor for this small-town-provider trying to keep their community close to home vs. trekking an hour to the big city – the mall had been an untapped territory for getting out the word.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5375729005/" title="UnityDetail by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/5375729005_f4b2e085dd.jpg" alt="UnityDetail" height="257" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5375729163/" title="UnitySide by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5085/5375729163_c659abe35b_z.jpg" alt="UnitySide" height="533" width="400" /></a><br /><br />It takes a lot of planning and clever use of space to get the best impact out of a wrap like this. You don't want it to look like a flying giant banner accidentally smacked into to the front of the building and just stuck there.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5376330374/" title="UnityArt by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5009/5376330374_c407479c3d.jpg" alt="UnityArt" height="449" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5375729045/" title="UnityBanners by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5041/5375729045_38d5e39cd2.jpg" alt="UnityBanners" height="383" width="400" /></a><br /><br />If you asked our media planners (after bribing them with soft pretzels or Gap gift cards of course) to tell you the top four reasons why they recommend mall placement for your messaging, they'd say:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1. It's a perfect example of taking your media message to where people are, as opposed to making them come to you.<br /><br />2. Like outdoor, but people aren't whizzing past at 60 mph-- they have more time to take the message in.<br /><br />3. A great medium to tackle that ever elusive tween/teen audience. Several recent studies have been done about the effectiveness of mall advertising against teens.<br /><br />4. It is a great way to target geographically. If your market potential is several neighborhoods, as opposed to an entire DMA, seek out your local mall. For the most part, people shop, close to where they live or work.</span><br /><br />It's why we've "gone to the mall" for clients like Planned Parenthood where we've wrapped unused storefronts strategically located next to family rest &amp; play areas, Buck The Norm with a debt-wise message right around holiday shopping time, and ACOG Clean Air messaging with a giant suspended "square of clean air" over the atrium-style food court and square blue-sky floor clings leading up to all the escalators.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/32589352@N04/5375729201/" title="MallMontage by thirddegreecreative, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5284/5375729201_4f07605e93.jpg" alt="MallMontage" height="100" width="400" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">ACOG "Get Square" <a href="http://www.thirddegreeadv.com/node/193">including mall installation.</a></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Planned Parenthood <a href="http://thirddegreecreative.blogspot.com/2009/12/going-to-mall.html">mall storefront wraps.</a></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><a href="http://www.creditunionsavvy.com/grow/resources/campaigns/buckthenorm">Buck The Norm</a> mall banners.</span></span>Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5559590747450954707.post-66309626920645667852011-01-04T09:38:00.000-06:002011-01-04T10:57:59.807-06:00Ye Olde Company Christmas PartyWhat did we do for our Christmas party this year?<br />Same thing we do every year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5323509165_67473e64e8_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5210/5323509165_67473e64e8_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5324113126_61beeef247_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 522px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5124/5324113126_61beeef247_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Drag our significant others along.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5323509023_d8b38ee736_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5161/5323509023_d8b38ee736_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Make sure that there's lots of food (...and drink).<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5324113400_537de2ca35_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5046/5324113400_537de2ca35_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Hang out by department.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5323508953_8583f69e4c_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5323508953_8583f69e4c_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Look decisively to the left.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5323509107_affd01c100_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5042/5323509107_affd01c100_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Dance!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5324113202_e7466a79ee_o.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5163/5324113202_e7466a79ee_o.jpg" alt="" border="0"></a><br />Play fight (no- really).<br /><br />And generally serve up all kinds of Christmas cheer, Third Degree-style.<br /><br />Now: onto 2011!<br /><img src="file:///Users/lizfabry/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/moz-screenshot.png" alt="">Third Degree Creativehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03770743602291831934noreply@blogger.com0